Translating a World on the Edge

Having a sister is being able to keep a childhood that you will never lose.

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other’s hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

Sunday, February 7, is my sister’s birthday. She will be…..well, I can’t tell you that, but I can tell you she means the world to me and always has.

In the picture, my sister, Mary,  is on my right. She’s the one with the less dainty, dark shoes–Mary’s big shoes, as they were referred to not only by our parents (who would never call them orthopedic) but by Mary herself, as in… “I’m gonna kick you with my big shoes!”  Yes, the shoes were a weapon!   Thank God, she only had to wear them for a little over a year.

Also in the picture, you will notice that Mary’s hair is cropped very short, while mine is much longer. This is not because her hair did not grow. It is because she was enthralled with her kindergarten scissors and how they snipped off  hair so easily–and quickly. In five minutes, the scissors took her from loads of natural curls to the same receding hairline as our grandfather.

Sisters annoy, interfere, criticize. Indulge in monumental sulks, in huffs, in snide remarks. Borrow. Break. Monopolize the bathroom. Are always underfoot. But if catastrophe should strike, sisters are there. Defending you against all comers. – Pam Brown

My sister, Mary, has long legs and arms. She played junior high basketball, twisted her knee and for weeks sat nightly on our kitchen table doing lifts with weights on her ankle to make it better, which she did. And afterwards, she was a force to reckon with on the basketball court, and in sisterly fights. Oh yes, we fought! But I rarely got in a punch because I could never seem to get past her long, long arms. She still has those arms–so wonderful now, for hugs.

If you don’t understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. – Linda Sunshine.

Mary was always, always first to the swing! See how she sits there so…superior?

This picture of course is First Communion. It was taken on the church grounds and insisted upon by my mother who had to demand that Mary take a break from chasing (and catching) all the boys in the First Communion class so the photo could be taken. What does she hold in those hands behind her back? Can’t tell you that either, but can you see how she is soooo ready to run after the boys again?

My sister was the Maid of Honor in my wedding, and has remained by my side ever since. I love her and wish her a very Happy Birthday on Sunday.  See you soon, Sister, for some more good times!